Copyright TIME
In spite of the rollbacks on climate action in the U.S., many governments and communities are taking action globaly—and reaping the health benefits that come along with it. According to the most recent data the study analyzed, an increased shift away from coal, particularly in wealthy countries, prevented an estimated 160,000 premature deaths annually between 2010 and 2022, and renewable energy generation also reached record-highs in 2022. It’s just one example of how combating climate change can improve health outcomes for people around the globe, the report’s contributors say. “Climate change action remains one of the greatest health opportunities of the 21st century, also driving development, spurring innovation, creating jobs, and reducing energy poverty,” Tafadzwa Mahbhaudi, director of the Lancet Countdown Africa said in a statement. “Realizing the myriad benefits of a health-centered response requires unlocking so-far untapped opportunities to mitigate climate change and build resilience to the impacts already being felt.”
